To Be...Longing
I long for peaceful evening boat rides, gazing at the mountains and of course....heaven!
June 22
Longing-"a yearning desire".
Have you looked at your prayer list lately? If it's anything like mine it is filled with longings.
Some long for world peace, a new job, a baby, a spouse, a loved one's salvation, healing from disease, for grief to ease, for family unity, or to know God's purpose.
The Israelites longed to be free from Pharaoh.
The Israelites longed for more than manna.
Lepers longed to be clean.
Jacob longed for Esau's blessing.
Sarah longed for a baby.
Solomon longed for wisdom.
Noah longed for dry land.
Mary longed to sit at Jesus' feet.
When I typed into Biblegateway..."Jesus longed, Jesus wanted, Jesus desired..."
the only scriptural links were these...
(Jesus Appoints the Twelve) "Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." Mark 3:13
"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do. and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5
God's/Jesus' longings are to have their chosen with them! Their desires are in a much different sphere from ours. Their "wants" relate to an eternal spectrum.
Jesus did long for this disciples to pray for him, but they fell asleep. He still longs for us to pray!
Let's rethink our longings for a moment. Let's list them again with a heavily heavenly perspective.
Let's list them with specific spiritual transformations in our lives at the top of the list.
Check out this article by Lifeway.
https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2014/03/25/recognizing-spiritual-transformation-8-signs-of-an-inner-reality/
The Israelites longed to be free from Pharaoh.
The Israelites longed for more than manna.
Lepers longed to be clean.
Jacob longed for Esau's blessing.
Sarah longed for a baby.
Solomon longed for wisdom.
Noah longed for dry land.
Mary longed to sit at Jesus' feet.
When I typed into Biblegateway..."Jesus longed, Jesus wanted, Jesus desired..."
the only scriptural links were these...
(Jesus Appoints the Twelve) "Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him." Mark 3:13
"God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do. and it gave him great pleasure." Ephesians 1:5
God's/Jesus' longings are to have their chosen with them! Their desires are in a much different sphere from ours. Their "wants" relate to an eternal spectrum.
Jesus did long for this disciples to pray for him, but they fell asleep. He still longs for us to pray!
Let's rethink our longings for a moment. Let's list them again with a heavily heavenly perspective.
Let's list them with specific spiritual transformations in our lives at the top of the list.
Check out this article by Lifeway.
https://www.lifeway.com/pastors/2014/03/25/recognizing-spiritual-transformation-8-signs-of-an-inner-reality/
The research revealed eight factors at work in the lives of believers who are progressing in spiritual maturity.
1) Bible Engagement
2) Obeying God and Denying Self
3) Seeking God
4) Building Relationships
5) Serving God and Others
6) Sharing Christ
7) Exercising Faith
8) Being Unashamed
1) Bible Engagement
2) Obeying God and Denying Self
3) Seeking God
4) Building Relationships
5) Serving God and Others
6) Sharing Christ
7) Exercising Faith
8) Being Unashamed
